The Global Pulse: Expect the World!

The new slogan for the Maine Business School is "Expect the World!” The emphasis on a global community is achieved in several ways. First, the MBA program requires all students to participate in an international trip. Exchange programs are also being developed where graduate students can spend a semester at a partner school such as Aalen, Germany or Angers, France. However, our international students represent the MOST important part of our international program! They come to the Maine Business School from countries around the world including China, France, Germany, Lebanon, India and many others, bringing new ideas and perspectives that enrich all of us.

These international students shared their perceptions about UMaine and their future plans in this interview:

Monica Angelova. Bulgaria. Graduate Assistant at the Foster Student Innovation Center.
“Being so far away from home, I learned to be independent. From my assistantship, I learned a lot about starting a business, which I would eventually love to do. In the meantime, I gained a lot of financial knowledge. I managed to combine MBA and getting ready to be a mom in September. Luckily, I have a job offer from my internship, and I also have a few ideas of my own.” 

Stefan Borst. Germany.
“I really like the relationship between students and the faculty & staff in the Maine Business School.  The campus offers a variety of opportunities. For me the recreation center and the international association play an important role to create a balance of fun, socializing and meeting new people. After graduation, I want to work for a few years as a consultant in the engineering sector where I can apply my engineering and the business experience. Presently the German economy is very strong, so I can go back home and find a good job there.”

JuiChe Chen. Taiwan.
“The social network at the University of Maine is the most valuable thing for me. I have met so many people from different backgrounds. After graduating from the University of Maine, I want to become a financial analyst.”

Ion Iepure. Moldova. Residence Director at UMaine.
“The MBA at the University of Maine has offered me the opportunity for a better career and life and has given me the necessary tools to explore this opportunity. It has also given me the pleasure of meeting the most wonderful people from Maine and from around the world. After graduation, I would like to get a job in a finance management company where I can make a difference.”

Benjamin Lepeculier. France. Exchange Student.
“The most valuable thing in UMaine is, no hesitation at all, the dynamism and welcoming of the international life. The international students of course but also all the people who permit to organize the events and everything (international office, international student association) I had so much good time with the students in UMaine, I will miss them a lot. After this semester, I will go back to France. I have an internship in France, then I would like to work in the human resources sector in a foreign country for a while (South America will be the best).

Jacques Nader. Lebanon. Structural engineer at the AEWC.
“The most valuable experience I have gained in UMaine was my education and the research I was doing. Now, my job at the AEWC is the most interesting thing in UMaine, besides the great friends I have around me. I will work for a couple of years here at the AEWC, and after graduation I’ll go back to my country and work there as a structural engineer.” 

Jean Sie. France. Exchange Student.
“Before I came here I had no idea about the American business school system and Maine. Now I am so glad that I can say I am part of the University of Maine. At the University of Maine, you have all you need to be successful and effective in your work. As an international student you easily find your fixed points. The relationship with the professors is effective in a way that permits you to develop your own thinking. The team works build your social skills. The classes I took here are more "business oriented" than my Human Resources concentration back home but they are complementary. This semester at the University of Maine is my last one. I would have liked to have at least one more semester here. After May, I am going back to France to do a six month internship in Renault, one of the most important car manufacturers in Europe. I will work in a team to implement the new Human Resources strategy in the European subsidiaries of the company. With this semester here I feel ready to get in the professional life and build my success.”

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